IBA & LSAMP Newsletter IBA students present posters during the sacnas conference in Long Beach, CA At left, sophomore Zoe Horak presents her work from the LaLumiere lab to fellow scientists. At right, senior Maria Nuñez shares her work from the Shea lab.
IBA sent four students to SACNAS on Oct. 13-15, 2016 in Long Beach, CA. The presenters were senior Maria Nuñez, junior Jorge Moreno, sophomore Zoe Horak and sophomore Callie Shannon. IBA Program Manager, Brinda Shetty, accompanied them.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: IBA GRADUATION CELEBRATION FRIDAY, MAY 5TH 4-6PM Last year’s graduating seniors pictured (right)
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 2 3, 4 5 5
Winter Retreat, Training on identifying Imposter Syndrome IBA students plan to do research abroad after graduation IBA Scholar Symposium, Undergraduates present their research Highlights from the IINSPIRE LSAMP Program
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Reactions to the WINTER retreat from IBA students Freshman Camille Jaime “For me, the retreat was shockingly relatable. I had never heard of Imposter Syndrome, but that presentation made me realize how much I fit its description. When the speaker mentioned procrastination to avoid failure as one of the symptoms, I had to laugh because that exactly describes me, and I never knew it. I think their suggestion to develop a new reaction to failure is very helpful and is something I am currently trying out, to see failure not as the worst but a lesson to do better next time.” Sophomore Ashley Segura-Roman “The IBA Winter Retreat was helpful in learning about and recognizing Imposter Syndrome within ourselves. Through this retreat I learned that Imposter Syndrome is a pretty common thing that many go through, and it is reassuring to know that.” Junior Jorge Moreno “Through our discussion about Imposter Syndrome, I learned that feeling out of place and as if I was never doing enough, was something that my peers may also be going through.” Senior Paul Taufalele “The retreat provided a great space for students to socialize and enjoy a healthy discussion about Impostor Syndrome. I had never heard of Impostor Syndrome before the retreat, but had certainly felt it to some degree. I learned that overwhelming majorities of people feel inadequate despite their achievements at some point in their lives. Awareness of the syndrome is the first step in overcoming and I hope to keep this awareness with me as I move forward into graduate studies. These IBA events provide beneficial information as well as camaraderie among the students and faculty. Pursuing graduate studies is a difficult task and a proper emotional support system is key to success.”
Winter Retreat: Discussions on imposter syndrome Affecting Students IBA holds an annual Winter Retreat
January 9th at the Iowa Memorial
that includes presentations and
Union, featured a presentation from
discussions on issues that could affect
the University of Iowa Counseling
students now or as they prepare for
Service on Imposter Syndrome. From
graduate school. Previous topics at
their presentation, students learned
these retreats have included training in
that, “Imposter Syndrome is insecurity
cultural competency, ethics, social
about being in a professional or
justice, diversity consciousness and
academic setting that involves: feeling
bystander intervention. This year’s
that one lacks the necessary
retreat, which took place Sunday,
experience, feeling that one is not smart enough to do the work, and anxiety that others will realize these things and discover the person is a fraud.” Common signs of Imposter Syndrome include “depression and anxiety, low selfesteem or confidence and avoidance of work or work-related responsibilities.” Photos by IBA Marketing Coordinator, Steve Kehoe
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iba students pursue graduate degrees abroad Seniors Timothy Fuqua and
institution,” Fuqua said. McCarty
Nicholas McCarty, both
is looking forward to collaborating
graduating in May, will be
with scientists from different
pursuing graduate degrees abroad.
backgrounds. “I wanted to have a
Fuqua will be pursuing a four-year
new experience, both culturally
PhD at The European Molecular
and scientifically. The UK will
Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in
present me with a phenomenal
Heidelberg, Germany. McCarty
opportunity to engage with other
will be pursuing a one-year
researchers in an international
masters degree and is deciding
setting. I am hopeful that this will
between Imperial College London
foster ongoing connections
and the University of Cambridge.
overseas and enhance the research
Both students decided to look for opportunities abroad because they
I perform down the line,” McCarty said.
Photo that Fuqua took of EMBL during his interview week in Heidelberg, Germany.
wanted a new experience. “I also
The impressive faculty and
applied to a lot of schools within
innovative research attracted
throughout the application process.
the United States, however, after
Fuqua and McCarty when deciding
IBA covered the costs so that Fuqua
EMBL took me to interview, I
where to apply. “Ultimately [I]
could go to The Allied Genetics
immediately knew I wanted to
decided to go abroad because of
Conference where he met his future
study abroad. I was blown away by
the faculty members that I would
Principal Investigator who
the cutting-edge science at the
have an opportunity to work with.
encouraged him to apply to EMBL.
facilities, the diversity, and
Imperial College London is a
collaboration going on in Europe,”
world leader in synthetic biology
Fuqua said.
and metabolic engineering – a field
The diversity within the program was an important aspect for both Fuqua and McCarty. “During my interview at EMBL, the applicants were from 15 different countries, scattered on every continent (besides Antarctica). This is what I love about EMBL the most, the inclusion and diversity at the
that I am eager to explore. This played a big role in my decision. University of Cambridge also has a stellar biochemistry department and mastery of drug design and
The people who helped McCarty during his application process were Director of Scholar Development Kelly Thornburg, Fulbright Program Advisor Dr. Karen Wachsmuth, and Dr. Christopher Squier, who read through his applications and recommended programs in the UK.
crystallography. Both of these are appealing to me, but for different
Fuqua leaves the US in July and
reasons,” McCarty said.
McCarty will be leaving in
IBA has been very helpful to Fuqua
September. The hardest thing for McCarty to leave behind is his
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(Top) At left, Fuqua in lab doing research. At right, the campus of EMBL. (Bottom) At left, McCarty with group of students checking out Oxford. At right, a view of Heidelberg, Germany from Fuqua’s visit.
research project. “I have grown very
salary. If you are thinking about
is the primary language spoken at
fond of glucose trafficking,” McCarty
applying to an international program,
the facilities. Do not let a language
said. The hardest thing for Fuqua to
you need to ask about these things,
barrier be an excuse for studying
leave behind is the friends he has
because otherwise moving is going to
outside of the US,” Fuqua said. “If
made at the University of Iowa.
be incredibly expensive and
you get the interview, most facilities
“While I know that I will see many of
stressful,” Fuqua said.
reimburse your travel and
them again, it was a surreal moment after I booked a one-way ticket to a country on the other side of the world,” Fuqua said. Fuqua added that EMBL is helping to make the transition a smooth one. “[EMBL is] paying for my travel to get back to Heidelberg, providing housing for me in their pre-furnished guest home for my first year, and has given me a start-up fund in addition to my
Both Fuqua and McCarty have advice for students considering doing research abroad after they graduate. “Start early and seek out help frequently,” McCarty said. Fuqua recommends not letting the language or expense stop interested students
accommodation, so finances should not be a concern for applying. Additionally, Europe is doing incredible research in the basic biological sciences, and I think you should keep an open mind to getting out of your comfort zone in the US.”
from exploring universities outside of
As Fuqua and McCarty get ready for
the US. “Many international PhD
a new adventure, they each are
programs are taught in English, and it
looking forward to the new
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experiences they will have abroad. “I
McCarty is planning to explore the
am most looking forward to doing
history while in the UK. “I am really
cutting-edge research at EMBL. The
looking forward to exploring some
Heidelberg station for EMBL has been
of the Roman ruins in the UK,”
acclaimed as "Europe's Flagship
McCarty said. “I have taken several
Research Station" and they take that
roman history courses just for fun,
title very seriously. The facilities thus
and it is a topic I enjoy learning
have cutting-edge technology,
about. I can’t wait to see some of
including super-resolution
the old temples to the god Mithras
microscopes. Their title also means
and wall structures in London (the
that many conferences and important
Romans named the town
scientific events are held at EMBL,
Londinium). I am also eager to
where I hear it is not uncommon to
experience a different culture, try
meet a Nobel Laureate,” Fuqua said.
new foods, and meet new people.”
IINSPIRE LSAMP PROGRAM 2016-2017 Annual Conference Cultivating STEM Identity for Student Success Feb. 3-4, 2017 This year’s conference featured participation from many IBA and LSAMP students and faculty: Preparing and Applying for Graduate School Session Moderator: Dr. Vincent Rodgers Panelists: Rondine Allen and Franklin Bright Making the Most of Your Research Experience Speaker Dr. Lori Adams Student Poster Presenters: Sean Easler and Brian Leal
Iowa Biosciences academy scholar
Conferences attended this Fall 2016
symposium
with the financial support of IBA:
The IBA Scholar Symposium was held December 3, 2016 in the Kollros
ABRCMS Nov. 8-11, Tampa, FL: junior
Auditorium. Presentations by upper classmen showcased the research they have
Angela Olvera
been working on. Topics presented by undergraduates at the symposium included: biology, physics, environmental health, nursing, pharmacology, biochemistry,
Autumn Immunology Conference Nov.
psychology and biomedical engineering. There were sixteen presenters in total
18-21, Chicago, IL: senior Maya Amjadi
representing ten different majors. Featured above is senior Nicholas McCarty giving a presentation on his work in Dr. Abel’s lab in the Department of Internal Medicine. Photo by IBA Marketing Coordinator, Steve Kehoe
Global Medical Microbiology Summit & Expo Nov. 28-30, San Diego, CA: graduate fellow Franklin Bright
IBA SOCIAL ACTIVITY: STUDENTS GO BOWLING (Top) Junior Angela
Got summer plans? Consider applying for the
Olvera, junior William
Research Experiences for
Narhi-Martinez, junior
Undergraduates (REU) program
Nicole Cady and junior
that supports active research
Sadie Moore enjoy
participation by undergraduates
bowling together.
in any areas of research funded
(Bottom) IBA student
by the National Science
shows off her skills at the
Foundation. Find out more
bowling alley. The event
information about upcoming
took place Sunday, March
deadlines:
5th from 1-3pm at Colonial
https://www.nsf.gov/funding/
Lanes in Iowa City. Photos
pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5517
by Assistant Director Meaghan Rowe-Johnson.
March birthdays March 3 Maya Amjadi
March 7 Vincent Parra
March 18 Nicole Cady Not Pictured: March 11 Paul Taufalele March 17 Se Jin Kim March 30 Crystal Padilla
Microbiology: https://medicine.uiowa.edu/microbiology/events Biology: https://biology.uiowa.edu/about/seminars
SEMINARS BY DEPARTMENT
Physics: https://physics.uiowa.edu/resources/events/calendar Chemistry: https://chem.uiowa.edu/news/colloquium-seminar-schedule Psychology: https://psychology.uiowa.edu/ Biochemistry: https://medicine.uiowa.edu/biochemistry/news-events/seminars